#school for spirits

[aronlewes]

Diversity in my books

I've been reluctant to make this post, because I feel like my intentions could be easily misconstrued. People might think I'm trying to make myself look a certain way or support some kind of agenda, but no. I've just ALWAYS written diverse books. Simply put, I think there should be all types of characters, for all sorts of people to enjoy. So I feature ALL KINDS of characters -- white, black, abled, disabled, straight, LBGT, pretty, plain, old, young, etc, etc. Writing the same character over and over again just isn't fun to me! (I've also had people personally thank me for Asian and disability representation, which is another reason I'm compiling this list)

So, without further ado, here is a (mostly) comprehensive list of my stories that emphasize diversity (these are major characters and plotlines, btw, not unimportant side plots or characters)

(P.S. - this includes a few books written under my other pen name, Caylen McQueen)

Books with diverse lead characters:

The Darker Ages: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077HVG9YW (Alfred du Bois is black and I love him and I will take that love to the grave with me!!! He's my guy for life. I'm putting him first because I think he might be my favorite character of all time.)

School for Spirits: A Dead Girl and a Samurai https://www.amazon.com/School-Spirits-Dead-Samurai-Spirit-ebook/dp/B078YNFD4F/ (Taishi is Japanese)

School for Spirits: Rebel Archangel https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GCXT6WV (Chris Pho is Asian-American)

School for Spirits: Angel of Death https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K5ZF89N (Luciana is Hispanic)

A Crew of Criminals and Cutthroats: https://www.amazon.com/Crew-Criminals-Cutthroats-Aron-Lewes-ebook/dp/B0BTS5MJLW (Jean-Rene is black... also, I like that Davin is 70+ and kicking ass)

School for Spirits: Almost an Archangel https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SQW9NN4 (Kaylene is African-American)

The Fourth Dragon: https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Dragon-Aron-Lewes-ebook/dp/B096QB3MBP (Esmay is black)

An Elven Debutante: https://www.amazon.com/Elven-Debutante-Airships-Dragons-Book-ebook/dp/B0BGJLSMZP/ (Julian is Asian; so is Himiko in book 2)

School for Spirits: Pretty Dead Girl https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HN5ZYK2 (Vineet is Indian-American... I SUPER love Vineet, he's one of my favorites of all time)

Vixen's Chosen https://www.amazon.com/Vixens-Chosen-Fox-Assassin-Book-ebook/dp/B08ZD63ZXQ/ (Kylin is a kitsune, and it's strongly hinted that she is Japanese)

Angels & Outlaws: https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Outlaws-Aron-Lewes-ebook/dp/B0BDGBK95Y/ (Bo Lightfoot is Native American)

A Family of Wizards: https://www.amazon.com/Wizard-80s-Family-Wizards-Book-ebook/dp/B0B478DMNP/ (the titular magical family is Chinese)

Pride & Prejudice & Airships: https://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Airships-Steampunk-Book-ebook/dp/B07G38N7FF/ (Bin Li is Asian)

Whispers of Steam: https://www.amazon.com/Caged-Princess-Whispers-Steam-Book-ebook/dp/B088PF6K36 (leads in this book are a pair of brown-skinned mercenaries, an Asian hero-turned-villain-turned-hero, and a bisexual woman)

Ghost of Redemption: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Redemption-School-Spirits-Story-ebook/dp/B096Q9Q5ZY/ (Johnny Wong is biracial)

Little Alien on the Prairie: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Alien-Prairie-First-Contact-ebook/dp/B08PDGS9PC/ (Rain is Native American)

The Wishing Princess: https://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Princess-Magic-Dreams-Book-ebook/dp/B09ZVL578X/ (the MC's eventual love interest, Nils, is a dark-skinned elf)

Palace of Maids: https://www.amazon.com/Palace-Maids-Weird-Portal-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B098TNW5K5 (Dustin is indigenous)

Books with disability representation:

School for Spirits: Rebel Archangel https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GCXT6WV (Anna uses a wheelchair)

The Darker Ages: https://www.amazon.com/Darker-Ages-Aron-Lewes-ebook/dp/B077HVG9YW/ (Alice has quadriplegia)

Vixen's Challenge: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZD26H6H (Sara uses a wheelchair)

A Sheriff's Redemption: https://www.amazon.com/Sheriffs-Redemption-Lady-Robin-Hood-ebook/dp/B0784QFSKX (the Sheriff of Nottingham's younger brother, Kinlay, is disabled)

Cinderella & Dragons: https://www.amazon.com/Cinderella-Dragons-Complete-Aron-Lewes-ebook/dp/B07D3GLSPW (Terra uses crutches)

Books with LBGT+ characters:

My Lady Robin Hood series https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Locksley-Robin-Hood-Book-ebook/dp/B077LJ9G8N/ (there are many diverse characters in this series, but my trans Little John is most prominent, imo)

The Darker Ages: https://www.amazon.com/Darker-Ages-Aron-Lewes-ebook/dp/B077HVG9YW/ (Jalen/Jai is trans)(Jonathan is bisexual and ends up in a relationship with a man)

The Darkest Knight: https://www.amazon.com/Darkest-Knight-Black-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07HFTSNDD (Daniul is asexual... and autistic, for that matter... he's another one of my all-time favorite characters)

The Barefoot Barmaid: https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Barmaid-Belles-Bullets-Book-ebook (there are a ton of diverse characters throughout the series, but there is a gay couple, and Vee is a lesbian)

(I could have more LGBT+ characters, imo, but there are other authors do it better... actually, I'm thinking of one author friend in particular, and if she's reading this... DO write that gay historical, please! I want it!!)

I've probably forgotten some, but I'd say this is a pretty decent (and growing!) list. Also, many of my series starters are free, so they should be easy to get into!

Whoever you are out there, I hope you check out my work! <3

[aronlewes]

Pepper being accidentally sultry. I just love my little chaos demon! ;)

My senior cat passed away last week. This week, one of “The Outsiders” just gave birth.

Let me explain... for the last two years, I’ve been feeding strays in my neighborhood. Last year, a cat named “Porchie” gave birth to a litter of kittens... in my yard. We adopted two of them (Pepper and Killian). Sadly, we could not find homes for all. :(

But for the last year, I’ve been continuing to feed “The Outsiders,” and now a female cat from Porchie’s litter (Ringtail) has given birth.

Basically, I’ve witnessed a cat death and kitten births within the span of a week.

Life is crazy. Or good? Crazy good? It is what it is.

I have a new neighbor moving in next door soon... I REALLY hope it’s a cat lover!!!

(I’m also going to randomly plug this book of mine because Mark Twain being a spirit guide for cats is close to being my favorite thing ever: https://www.amazon.com/School-Spirits-Archangel-Undercover-Spirit-ebook/dp/B07QWTD7L7/)

[aronlewes]

Well, my cat died today. I just buried him in the backyard. 

I also released this book today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C4JXQV3R/  (Caylen McQueen is my pen name)

Both of these events are weirdly correlated. (If you read the book, you’d know why).

I’m in no mood to write a long speech today, I just want to point out that this is the 2nd book (novella???) inspired by the Handsome Killian Scott. In my mind, he was Damien (*cough* that’s his middle name *cough*) aka Lord Brannock.

(Dammit, I wish Secret Invasion was coming out tomorrow so I could numb this pain $^#$^#$ I’ve been crying all day...)

Goodbye, my precious Kittyboy. I love you forever. I hope you made it “Home.” 

[aronlewes]

Talking about the “casts” of my books is mostly for my own amusement. I don’t think anyone reads these posts, but whatever. Here are the “stars” of my latest book, Angels & Outlaws. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDGBK95Y/ 

The band of outlaws:

Bo was Booboo Stewart, naturally. He’s been one of my muses for a couple years and counting. 

“Dickie” was Harris Dickinson. I’d just read and watched The Darkest Minds, which had embedded him in my mind.

Hardy was Tom Hardy (very original, huh?) He’s most prevalent in the 2nd half of the book, after the School for Spirits-esque twist. I’ve been a fan of Tom for awhile.

Finally, there’s Owen Teague as “Rami.” He accidentally became my favorite character, and now Owen’s been one of my muses for several projects. He’s a star of tomorrow, mark my words!

And that’s it. That’s my “cast.” These handsome outlaws are welcome to rob me anytime. ;) I had an Archangel Saraqael in mind as well. She was Booboo’s then-girlfriend, so I feel a little weird about mentioning her, but Valentina... you’re seriously talented!

This book is a School for Spirits spinoff, so grab a FREE copy of the first book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YNFD4F/

[aronlewes]

Tumblr putting the School Spirits trailer at the top of my feed really feels like the perfect troll.